Graeme Souness ‘wants to see more from Neymar’ as he calls on Brazilian star to ditch the ‘antics’

Graeme Souness has called on Brazil superstar Neymar to fulfil his potential as the ‘heir to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’ at the World Cup as the South American attacker helped his side qualify for the quarter-finals in Qatar.

Neymar marked his return from injury with a stellar performance against South Korea on Monday evening, with the Brazilian icon scoring from the penalty spot and assisting Vinicius Junior for the opening goal.

The 30-year-old moved to within one of Brazil’s all-time record goalscorer, Pele, with his strike against South Korea moving him onto 76 strikes for the national team.

Neymar is Brazil’s main man at the World Cup as the nation qualified for the quarter-finals

Brazil beat South Korea 4-1 on Monday evening to advance to the last eight of the tournament

Brazil superstar Neymar (middle) marked his return from injury with a penalty goal on Monday

However, a no-nonsense Souness has questioned his ability to perform on football’s stage. Speaking on ITV, the Anfield legend said: ‘I want to see more from him [Neymar], he has incredible talent.

Neymar and his Brazilian teammates are aiming to lift a first World Cup since 2002

‘He was the apparent heir to Messi and Ronaldo but he hasn’t picked the baton up for me. 

‘I’m not sitting here saying he isn’t an extremely talented man, but there is things about him easy on the eye, I just find it frustrating that when things are going well he likes to make it look it is very easy for him.

‘I am not being a killjoy because some of the football tonight was fabulous but I’m thinking, some of his antics and his showboating, great on the eye for some people,’ added Souness.

PSG and Brazil playmaker Neymar has endured great success during his title-laden career so far, lifting the Champions League, La Liga, Copa del Rey, Ligue 1, and Confederations Cup with Brazil, but has long been criticised for not reaching his potential.

Having first earned a career defining move to Barcelona from his home nation in 2013, the Brazilian has never been far away from the headlines as his showboating and freestyle approach to the beautiful game drawing in both supporters and critics.

Neymar (right) has moved to within one strike of Brazil’s all-time record goalscorer Pele

Brazil’s stars demonstrated their quality to find a way past a disappointing South Korea side

In Qatar, Neymar is attempting to lead a star-studded Brazil team to a first World Cup title since 2002 with this being his best opportunity yet to land the global honour.

The flair forward led post-match celebrations honouring Brazil legend Pele after their victory over South Korea as Neymar and his colleagues unfurled a banner supporting the 82-year-old currently undergoing hospital treatment. 

Graeme Souness believes Neymar has so far failed to live up to his starboy potential